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US: 'High confidence' of Syria chemical arms use

By BRADLEY KLAPPER Associated Press

Posted:
08/30/2013 11:16:09 AM MDT

Updated:
08/30/2013 11:25:41 AM MDT

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A Jordanian man holds the Syrian national flag during a protest by the Jordanian Communist Party and other leftist groups against any American military strike against Syria, in Amman, Jordan, Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. The Arabic banner reads "any American aggression on Syria it is considered as an American aggression on the Jordanian people." President Barack Obama prepared for the possibility of launching unilateral American military action against Syria within days as Britain opted out. Top U.S. officials spoke with certain lawmakers for more than 90 minutes in a teleconference Thursday evening to explain why they believe Syrian President Bashar Assad's government was the culprit in the suspected chemical attack last week.

WASHINGTON—The Obama administration says it has "high confidence" that Syria's government carried out a chemical weapons attack last week outside Damascus, the capital—killing 1,429 people.

The U.S. chemical weapons assessment says Syrian President Bashar Assad's government used an unidentified nerve agent in the attack. The report cites human and satellite intelligence that it says backs up publicly available videos and other evidence.

The unclassified report says at least 426 children died.

The report says the "high confidence" assessment is the strongest position that U.S. intelligence agencies can take short of confirmation.

It dismisses the Assad government's contention that rebels were responsible.

The U.S. says additional intelligence remains classified but is being provided to allies and Congress.

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